Improvement in drying and purifying starch by centrifugal action



l F. MELKERSMAN. DRYING AND PURIFYING STARGH-BYCENTRIFUGAL ACTION.

Nc.*195,7'18; Patented 0ct.2,1'877.

N. PETERS. PHDTOLITNUGMFMEI. wAlHlNaToM. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT FEICE.

FREDERICK MELKERSMAIT, ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF HISRIGHT TO THOMAS KINGSFORD, OF OSWEGO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRYING AND PURIFYING STARCH BY CENTRIFUGAL ACTION.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,718, dated October2, 1877; application filed August 1, 1877.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK MELKERS- MAN, of St. Charles, in thecounty of St. Charles and State of Missouri, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Machinery for Drying and Purifying Starch;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the frame, the centrifugaldrying-cylinder being shown in vertical central section. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section of the frame and cylinder on line as av of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the box-cover, showing the projections lwhich enterthe compartments of the box. Fig.

4 is an elevation of open side of the box for the reception of thestarch, showing the perforations in its outer side.

The same letter indicates the same part in all the gurcs where itoccurs.

The object of my invention is to facilitate and improve the operation ofdrying and purifying starch while in the process of manufacture.

The nature of the invention consists in subjecting the moist starch incloth-lined perforated boxes to the action of centrifugal force, bywhich the water and impurities are rapidly and effectually expelled, ashereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawing, K marks a stout frame, in which turns a vertical shaft,A, resting in a step, L, in the lower part of the frame. The shaft A hasa pulley, I, attached to its upper end, by means of which it is drivenby a band from a prime mover. A centrifugal cylinder is attached toshaft A by the cast-iron hub B, to which the wooden arms C of thecylinder are bolted.

.The cylinder is provided with receptacles or compartments E E E, Ste.,of proper size to receive the starch-boxes F. These boxes are perforatedon their outer side, which corresponds with the periphery of thecylinder, and are provided with covers G, (see Fig. 3,) which iit theirinner or open sides, These covers have projections on them, which enterthe compartments of the box as the starch with which they are filledgradually shrinks in size by the expulsion of moisture, as hereinafterdescribed.

Keys or wedges H are inserted behind the covers G of thc boxes F, todrive them home as the contents of the boxes shrink in bulk. Thecylinder is boluid by a ninnber of hoops or bands, D, placed at asuiflcient distance apart to allow of the free escape of water throughthe perforations in the outer sides of the boxes.

The boxes are to be lined with cloth to prevent the escape of thestarch, which is placed in them in a liquid state. The boxes thus filledare covered and placed in the receptacles E, and the keys H inserted. y

Rapid rotation is imparted to the cylinder, when the liquids andimpurities contained in the starch are driven out by centrifugal forcethrough the pertbrations in the outer sides of the boxes F. As the bulkof starch diminishes the wedges H are driven down, and force the coversG into the boxes to replace the escaped fluids.

When the action ceases the boxes are withdrawn and replaced by others,ready for a repetition of the operation.

I am aware that centrifugal force has been applied to the drying ofstarch in bulk. This I do not claim.

`Having thus fully described my invention, wh. t I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The process hereinbefore described for drying and purifying' starchin a liquid state by subjecting it, in lined and perforated boxes, tothe action of centrifugal force, which expels the contained liquids andimpurities, all substantially in the manner specified.

2. The combination, with a rotary cylinder provided with receptacles E,of the perforated boxes F, covers Gr, and keys H, all substantiztlly nthe manner end for the purposes set v my own invention I aix mysignature in presforth. ence of two witnesses.

3. The combination of the shaft A hub B partitions C, hoops D, and boxesFfall con FREDERICK MELKERSMAN' strueted, arranged, and operating in theman- Witnesses: ner and for the purposes set forth. DAVID W. FERGUSON, i

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as THORNTON K. ALEXANDER.

